The topic of focus over the past two weeks of sustainable development was natural disasters. What I gathered from inputs a natural disaster is an unforeseen, catastrophic event that severely impacts the operation of a community, society and generates human material, economic and environmental losses, that overreaches the community’s or society capacity to cope using their resources and some many rely on additional countries for aid and resources in order to function again. There are many types of natural distastes majority stem from changes within the weather system or movement of the Earth’s axis. Listed below are natural disasters:
• Landslides
• Avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Wildfires
• Tsunamis
• Floods
• Hurricanes
Social capital plays a fundamental role in how a natural disaster is considered nationally and internationally. With social capital there is a sense of empowerment and if a problem arise within a community people are able to work together to solve the problem, the community is able to support and having an education is vital in order to give and receive support.
Natural disaster is becoming an occurrence, with disasters peaking during the 1980’s and have remain relevantly constant since. Societies are becoming increasingly knowledge when dealing with natural disasters due to advancements in meteorology technologies that can predict weather comparatively accurately, citizens are more educated in protecting themselves, families and property. However, many disasters have impacted countries of poverty, the outcome of response and recovery is not on para as countries of greater wealth for instance Haiti and America who have been affected by server natural disasters.
Likewise, within this topic I have been able to develop my understanding of the ways in which communities and societies can respond to disasters (before, during and after).
Before
• Prepare infrastructure
• Collect or store vital essentials and documents
• Plan ahead such as evacuation and know where to go to for help and safe shelter
• Establish who are the most vulnerable (infants, disable and elderly) in the community and look out for them
• Familiarise with warning signs through news announcements and weather forecast/ warnings
• Keep up to date with news and media
• Keep in contact with friends and family
• Follow the advice of government and other services
During
• Use a radio to keep informed
• Government and authorities keep in communication with citizens and disaster/ aid charities
• Providing resources to the most vulnerable and those who require it most, such as food/water and shelter
• Continue to follow guidance from government and local authorities, continue with evacuation and plans outlines
• Emergency aid being provide to treat casualties
• Rescue teams and aid teams compile resources and help those who are trapped or are in danger.
After
• Begin the recovery phase
• Rehabilitation of the injured
• Maintain funding- help to rebuild infrastructure and create affordable housing for the homeless
• Look for signs of weather changes and after shock
• Maintain communication
• Continue looking for citizens who may be trapped
Within the curriculum there are many opportunities to teach children about natural disasters, as disasters are occurring more and children have more awareness of these types of events through the majority the media. When teaching children in regards to disasters it is important to approach the subject with caution ensuring that any resources that are used are appropriate for the children’s age and cognitive capacity. There are many opportunities to implement a science element as there are many experiment that demonstrate types of natural disasters such as tornados and volcanic eruptions.
